The COVID-19 situation in British Columbia is continually evolving, and the information below is current as of 3 p.m. on Wednesday, April 29, 2020.
Cases:
- Total confirmed cases in B.C.: 2,087
- New cases since April 28, 2020: 34
- Hospitalized cases: 89
- Intensive care: 35
- COVID-19 related deaths: 109
- Recovered: 1,305
- Long-term care and assisted-living homes currently affected: 21
- Acute-care unit outbreaks: 3
Confirmed cases by region:
- Vancouver Coastal Health: 811
- Fraser Health: 941
- Island Health: 120
- Interior Health: 169
- Northern Health: 46
New provincial advice and measures:
- Provincial state of emergency is being extended for the third time, to support the extraordinary measures taken by the Province under the Emergency Program Act:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020EMBC0022-000783 - Parliamentary secretary's statement on safe spaces for people leaving violence:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020FIN0025-000774 - The Provincial Health Officer released a new Order for Industrial Camps on April 23, 2020. This new document assists employers to develop an operational protocol that helps employers implement this order, and other orders, notices, and guidance:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/covid-19/covid-19-pho-guidance-large-industrial-work-camps.pdf - High-quality care for animals in B.C.’s shelters, BC SPCA facilities, zoos and aquariums will continue during the COVID-19 response, with funding available to help organizations cover the costs of food and medicine for their animals:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020AGRI0016-000776
New federal measures:
- Carla Qualtrough, federal Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, introduced legislation to establish the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB), which would provide income support to post-secondary students who lost work opportunities due to COVID-19:
https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/news/2020/04/government-of-canada-introduces-legislation-to-support-students-in-need.html - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, to discuss COVID-19:
https://pm.gc.ca/en/news/readouts/2020/04/29/prime-minister-justin-trudeau-speaks-president-european-commission-ursula - The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will cross the country to salute Canadians doing their part to fight the spread of COVID-19:
https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2020/04/canadian-forces-snowbirds-launch-cross-canada-tour.html
Media availability schedule:
Upcoming scheduled media availability with Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer:
Thursday, April 30 – 3 p.m., Victoria
Friday, May 1 – 3 p.m., statement only
Saturday, May 2 – noon, Victoria (Dr. Bonnie Henry only)
Resources:
- For provincial support and COVID-19 information, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/covid
- For seniors looking for additional support at this time, call 211 or visit: http://www.bc211.ca/
- For information for Indigenous peoples in B.C., visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/indigenous-people/covid19
- If you or a family member need additional medical advice, call 811.
Testing:
- For the latest statistics, including testing, visit the BC Centre for Disease Control's COVID-19 dashboard:http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/data
- If symptoms appear, check your symptoms online: https://covid19.thrive.health
- If needed, call your health-care provider or 811 for further guidance.
Learn More:
For the latest videos and livestreaming of COVID-19 media availabilities, visit:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BCProvincialGovernment/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ProvinceofBC
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BCGovNews
For the latest medical updates, including case counts, prevention, risks and testing, follow @CDCofBC on Twitter
Or visit: http://www.bccdc.ca/
For the provincial health officer's orders, notices and guidance, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/phoguidance
For non-health related information, including financial, child care and education supports, travel, transportation and essential service information, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/Covid-19
Or call 1 888 COVID19 (1 888 268-4319) between 7:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. (Pacific time), seven days a week.
For recommendations on protecting yourself and your community, including for employers and businesses, visit:
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/coronavirus-(novel)
For common questions about COVID-19 and terminology, visit:
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/common-questions
Worker and employer information:
For workers and employers who need help understanding the law and their rights, have workplace health and safety questions or who need help with claims, call:
Employment Standards Branch: 1 833 236-3700
For health and safety assistance: 1 888 621-7233 (1 888 621-SAFE)
For workers and claims: 1 888 967-5377 (1 888 WORKERS)